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February 1, 2007 :: College Goal SundaySM to Offer Students and Families Opportunity to Learn About Ways to Pay for College

This February, students and their parents can have one-on-one, expert advice in learning about financial aid and planning for college during the upcoming statewide event, College Goal Sunday.

College Goal Sunday will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at college campuses across the state. Students and their families can attend College Goal Sunday and visit with financial aid counselors and college staff in person. In a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid application forms. (Those interested in this service should bring their latest tax information to the event.) In addition, valuable information will be shared about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and different degree programs.

“We understand there can be a lot to learn when preparing to attend college, especially for those students who are the first in their families to go,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “Participating in College Goal Sunday gives students and their families the opportunity to learn about preparing for college and financial aid in a comfortable setting.”

More than 20 higher education institutions are participating in College Goal Sunday, including East Central University, Ada; Langston University, Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses; Murray State College/Ardmore Higher Education Center, Ardmore; Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow and Tahlequah campuses; Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee; Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City; Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell; Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Tulsa campuses; Rogers State University, Claremore; Rose State University, Midwest City; Seminole State College, Seminole; Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant; Southern Nazarene University, Bethany; Tulsa Community College, Tulsa; and the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. The University of Oklahoma is hosting a Latino event at the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.

“We hope to see lots of students with their families at College Goal Sunday. It is a valuable opportunity to get tips on planning for college and personal advice on ways to make attending college more affordable,” said State Regents Chairman John Massey. “I encourage everyone interested in college financial aid to take advantage of this event.”

The College Goal Sundayprogram was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with state GEAR UP grants totaling $20.5 million in August 1999 and $20.6 million in August 2005. The grants have been matched by more than $47 million from state and partner resources. With the addition of the 2005 multi-year, federal grant, Oklahoma’s GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $45.6 million in federal funds by 2011. GEAR UP receives 49 percent of total funding from the federal government and 51 percent from other organizations.